Alexis Sanchez

[Danny_Johnson4]

Then we get another world class player, who wants to join, regardless.

I suspect, however, we have known for a while that Sergio is preparing to move on.

Agree the point you made RE Tevez
Sanchez making a genuine point of really wanting this move, if what the reports are saying are half true (?), don't underestimate the mentality he brings and the sheer will he will have to succeed
He came to england to win trophies, and make no mistake, he will have tevez like infectious enthusiasm to ensure he doesn't cock up this move like some would say he has at the gooners

Massive, massive mentality shift if he comes. Not only with what he brings, but it is a mental blow for all those clubs and fans who are starting to doubt the power we current hold in the premier league. We haven't made the RVP type move from a big english club yet like united did, but such a signing will signal that after this season, we are not pissing around.

 

[domalino]

There is no way GJ should jystcwalk back into the team. That would be hugelt unfair and undeserved on all 3 of the main forwards but especially aguero who has, not for the first time, been carrying the team in terms of scoring.....the rest need to step up big time.

There was no way he should have just walked in last time....but he did and he was brilliant, wasn't he?

Feels like people are trying to be stupid in this thread.

 

[Danny_Johnson4]

Do you think he's even playing well?

I don't. He's scoring, but he's not playing like his usual self, or his old self. He's taking 3 or 4 chances to get a goal, he's not terrorising defences like he does at his best - there's no spark. He's left behind in loads of moves and is nowhere near the box when the ball comes in, he's not really linking play like Pep would want.

If I was Pep I'd think that Jesus, in the form he arrived, would have at least 10 in 10 too given the opportunities given to Aguero, so why not drop him?

It might seem harsh but Pep isn't a City fan, he's not got blue tinted glasses when it comes to Aguero.

This, This, This.

Love the man, but he represents the old city guard who have done wonders for the club on and off the pitch, but not the new vision we are looking forward to with Pep.
His pressing is non existent, despite his obvious improvement in effort.

He has had some wonderful moments and probably the sole owner of the best moment in the clubs history, but he has also been a key figure in one of the most underachieving highly talented crop we have ever had, 2 titles or not.

He has scored goals of late but if we were to nit-pick and use the standards Pep will, having managed the very best, there is probably not a single goal he has scored in the past month that Kelechi or my nan wouldnt have put in. The arsenal one being the pick of the bunch, but he had so much time, and he missed 2/3 other big, big chances there

This manager expects the very, very best. He expects cut throat. He expects 5/6/7-0 home victories against the cannon fodder we have dropped points at home to and failed against this season. As good/great as Aguero has been for us, he just is not that cut throat killer right now, and Pep does not have the time.
I believe he will leave, and I'm not 100% happy with it as a fan, but I totally agree with it if we want to reach the next level

 

[simon23]

There was no way he should have just walked in last time....but he did and he was brilliant, wasn't he?

Feels like people are trying to be stupid in this thread.

Dont think its stupid to say he shouldnt just walk back in....like akk players he has to earn it on the training ground

 

[Dax777]

Dont think its stupid to say he shouldnt just walk back in....like akk players he has to earn it on the training ground

I think if you see GJ on the field on game day, you can fairly assume or conclude he earned it on the playing ground.

Pep is not going out of his way to try to sabotage his own legacy. When he plays a player, its often coz he believes said player has earned it.

 

[KCblue]

We certainly can (financially) afford bringing in Alexis without offloading Aguero; however, I don't think Sergio is interested in a five-man forward rotation.

Credit to him for adapting to Pep's demands but that does still help our position to receive a tidy sum if we are to sell him this summer.

FWIW Alexis, Jesus, and Sterling can play anywhere along the front three and we just don't know if Sane can play up top because we haven't really tried. Those 4 + Roberts for an odd cup game and injury possibilities would be enough.

Sergio goes if he wants to, which I think he will this summer. Kelechi while I love him will be loaned out or sold.

 

[pavelsrnicek]

Have to say Sanchez plays in a position we're not short of options but if takes Navas place in the squad that's a hell of an upgrade.

He is also hungry after working hard for team selfie and 6 packs for very little reward.

I could see him do a van Persie for us next year.

 

[BlueDeadHead]

You said we've lost out because of depth....that's not true. The only game I think we've got a bad result because of a lack of depth is the Stoke home game.

The players we have are more than enough to have won the league if the finishing was up to par. Aguero, Sané and Sterling missing chances isn't a lack of depth. Blaming our entire season on Jesus' injury like you did is ridiculous.

And how did you factor in the effect of not resting our front three properly over the last 2 months when you made that analysis? Playing on 2 to 3 days rest is not ideal. Its that simple. Missing chances is a result of depth if you can't give someone who is out of form a game or two off because your only alternative is Navas.

 

[BlueDeadHead]

Next season we'll have Sterling and Sané, with Jesus and Roberts as options out wide without signing anyone. Our options at full back on the other hand will be Maffeo and half of Kolarov as first choice with Maffeo and the same half of Kolarov as back up.

Don't get me wrong. I said we don't have adequate depth in attack. That implies I think we have adequate starters.

We don't even have that in the back.

I am in the sign Sanchez camp because I think it will give us depth in the attack under the assumption that Aguero is leaving. So an attack of Sane, Sterling, Jesus, Sanchez, Roberts would be perfect and would give us proper depth. In the back we need to start from scratch basically. I think we need to spend 100 million on CBs alone before even talking about fullbacks.

 

[cadds92]

I don't necessarily think he is competition for Aguero.

Jesus will be competition for Aguero whilst Sanchez, Sterling and Sane will be battling it out for a wing position.

The game is different now, it doesn't matter how good you are, unless you are Messi or Ronaldo I don't think you can just expect togo into a team and think you can play every week. Most top teams now have two top class players for every position.

I have said numerous times that I think one of the reasons Aguero has gone off the boil a little is because he no longer has that competition he had a few years ago when he had Dzeko, Tevez and Mario breathing down his neck.

 

[BlueDeadHead]

No "shiny toy brigader" wants the old man. Not because he isn't a good striker, but because we are not looking for a good striker. We instead are looking for a good forward.

You know, the kinda guy that can play striker if need be, can play behind the striker or out on either wing, understands Peps system, and would give you 20 goals and 10 assists every season.

So you are not getting value just from his goals but also his contribution to the creation of goals for others. The excitinment about adding a player like Sanchez has little to do with "shiny toys" and more to do with prtactical utility of such an addition.

Spot on. And if you are like me and think Aguero is going to go regardless, and if this is his direct replacement then we make 20 million in the deal and can get to work on the defense.

 

[Dax777]

Don't get me wrong. I said we don't have adequate depth in attack. That implies I think we have adequate starters.

We don't even have that in the back.

I am in the sign Sanchez camp because I think it will give us depth in the attack under the assumption that Aguero is leaving. So an attack of Sane, Sterling, Jesus, Sanchez, Roberts would be perfect and would give us proper depth. In the back we need to start from scratch basically. I think we need to spend 100 million on CBs alone before even talking about fullbacks.

Yikes!!!

I think we are fine at CB. Sure if we get the opportunity to being on Virgil or Laporte, the better. But our CBS are pretty good.

We concede fewer chances than anyone other than United I believe. We just save considerably fewer amount of shots.

All our defensive metrics match up well with those of the top 6. We make fewer errors than Chelsea concede fewer shots than 4 of the other 5.

There are only 2 areas where we are weaker "tackles won %" and "shots per goal conceded". On every other metric we are above or on per with all the other teams.

Now tackles won is for the whole team, not just defenders. Meaning our hustle across the board to win duels must improve. (Enter Sanchez, Laporte, Karrsdop e.t.c) I.e players that breathe natural aggression.

But as for CB in particular or defending in general we are on per. Saves per goal, a keeper problem plays a larger role here.

We can win without improving our CBs most metric suggest we can. We can't however without improving goalkeeping and fullbacks.

So budgeting 100 million on an area that is statistically a strength seems excessive.

 

[BlueDeadHead]

Yikes!!!

I think we are fine at CB. Sure if we get the opportunity to being on Virgil or Laporte, the better. But our CBS are pretty good.

We concede fewer chances than anyone other than United I believe. We just save considerably fewer amount of shots.

All our defensive metrics match up well with those of the top 6. We make fewer errors than Chelsea concede fewer shots than 4 of the other 5.

There are only 2 areas where we are weaker "tackles won %" and "shots per goal conceded". On every other metric we are above or on per with all the other teams.

Now tackles won is for the whole team, not just defenders. Meaning our hustle across the board to win duels must improve. (Enter Sanchez, Laporte, Karrsdop e.t.c) I.e players that breathe natural aggression.

But as for CB in particular or defending in general we are on per. Saves per goal, a keeper problem plays a larger role here.

We can win without improving our CBs most metric suggest we can. We can't however without improving goalkeeping and fullbacks.

So budgeting 100 million on an area that is statistically a strength seems excessive.

Its a dream but 100 million is what it would take to get both VVD and Laporte. Its exactly what I was referring to, and I actually think financially its easy. Especially if this Sanchez talk is true. If he is Aguero's replacement that is a 20 million profit for us. Hart, Nasri, Mangala, Bony should get us 50. Buying two CBs allows us to sell Ottamendi for another 15. So the CBs set us back a total of 15 after sales and Sanchez. Fabinho for 40 makes it 55. Ederson for 40 makes it 95. LB for 30 makes it 125. That leaves a big 50-60 to spend on midfield.

Maffeo comes into the squad and Garcia gets more minutes. Maybe Delph or Fernando leave...probably not both. So we probably keep Delph.

Adding two CBs allows us to easily play 3 at the back meaning we don't need to get as many FBs as some think. Fabinho is a perfect option because he can play FB, Inverted FB, and DM. He can play in a 3 or 4. Maffeo as a backup and RB is settled for years. Left back we buy one great player. Kolarov can back up in an emergency and we can play a back three to give them rest. So IMO two CBs and two FBs + Maffeo is what we need.

3 at the back also lets you start playing with some dream formations when you put Sane at wingback...allowing you a front three of Jesus, Sanchez/Aguero, and Sterling.

 

[roy.or.r]

I don't understand how people are so confident that Jesus will be a hit and can easily replace Aguero once he is sold. I am really confused.

 

[Scar Tissue]

The opportunities that are being thrown at a Aguero are actually quite difficult chances. Sure he's missed some sitters but a majority of the goals he's scored he's been surrounded by four defenders in the box.

Can't think of many players who would score many in the situation he's being presented with.

This idea that he's being given a ton of easy chances to convert and it's his fault we are losing is a false narrative and I can't understand why it has any traction.

100% agree. He's been City's one and only goal threat for too long. Needs help. Hoping Jesus and Sane will be that but they are young and can be inconsistent.

Saw in last year's Brazilian Serie A that Jesus had a long stretch of games (10 or 11) where his return was 1 goal and 1 assist. People are wanting Sergio gone when he has scored 10 in 10. There are a lot of impossible expectations being placed on Jesus' shoulders. I hope people don't stick the boot in (like they have with Sergio) when he doesn't live up to them for a few games in a row.

IMO Sanchez would be welcome as another experienced goal threat. Never ever as a replacement for Sergio.

 

[slicky202]

If sergio goes it has already been decided and won't come as a surprise in the summer I'm sure of that. Has been great for us but watching his all around plat in the build up I can't help but think he's not a pep type player. His numbers have never been a problem and the guy has been a legend for us.

 

[01cravend]

I don't understand how people are so confident that Jesus will be a hit and can easily replace Aguero once he is sold. I am really confused.

Sometimes you just know, you know?

 

[Blue Coop]

If Aguero leaves and Sanchez joins. Do we still need one more attacking talent? Sanchez, Jesus, Sane and Sterling is 4 for 3 spots - I think that needs another.

 

[Scar Tissue]

Do you think he's even playing well?

I absolutely do believe he is playing well. My eyes are telling me that. Sergio's stats are telling me that. More importantly Pep is telling me that. Or is it easy to believe Pep when he was calling Sergio out earlier in the season but hard to believe when Pep is now saying Sergio "has arrived" in his philosophy and is playing "unbelievable"?

It seems to have become really fashionable on here to slam the guy without reason. To be honest, with some of your previous posts I thought you were better at observing the game than what you came up with on this occasion. Still, I respect your opinion even though I wholeheartedly disagree.

I can't remember a lot of the rest of your post. I laughed at the being left behind in plays and not linking up the way Pep would want. The reason he hasn't been in the box on some plays is because he has been linking up exactly the way Pep wants. He has dropped deep and started the bloody play off with a pass that has put somebody else into space!
Be it Silva or Sterling or Sane or KDB. Then they have attacked the box. Or is Sergio expected to fly over the ground faster than the ball being passed up field and be on the end of what he created? The way people are talking in here, I'm sure the reply will be "Jesus could do it". Heaven forbid if that kid puts a foot (pardon the pun) wrong when he comes back. Everyone on here is already expecting the lad to be perfect. That is impossible.

 

[01cravend]

If Aguero leaves and Sanchez joins. Do we still need one more attacking talent? Sanchez, Jesus, Sane and Sterling is 4 for 3 spots - I think that needs another.

One of the lads out on loan?